Rockets beat Hornets 100-96

Harden's 30 points leads Rockets over Hornets

HOUSTON - James Harden scored 30 points, Omer Asik added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and the Houston Rockets held off the New Orleans Hornets 100-96 on Wednesday night. Harden went 10 for 20 from the field but only 1 of 7 from 3-point range. He reached 30 points for the third time in seven games with the Rockets. Greivis Vasquez scored a career-high 24 for the Hornets, despite hurting his left ankle in the third quarter and briefly leaving the game. Anthony Davis had only eight points on 2-for-7 shooting. The Rockets built a 21-point lead in the first half, but the Hornets played better defense in the second to close the gap. Chandler Parsons sank a pivotal 3-pointer and fadeaway jumper late to help Houston win for the second time in five home games.

Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.